Retaining means for wheel trim members

ABSTRACT

A wheel trim member including a cover portion having a circular outer margin, a substantially rigid annular ring extending axially from the outer margin, and a plurality of independent, angularly spaced-apart retaining members for resiliently retaining the trim member on a wheel, each of the individual retaining members including a base secured to the rigid ring, at least one flexible portion projecting outwardly from the base to engage the wheel, and a substantially rigid portion extending radially outwardly from the base for limiting the deflection of the flexible portions under shock load conditions.

United States Patent Marshall 1 Nov. 21, 1972 [54] RETAINING MEANS FORWHEEL 3,037,816 6/1962 Mulhern ..30l/37 TRIM MEMBERS 3,083,061 3/1963Buechler ..301/37 3,168,349 2/1965 Maletzke ..301/37 [72] Inventor 33Marshall 3,174,803 3/1965 'Mulhern ..301/37 ss v 3,425,747 2/1969 Alfes..30l/37 [73] Assignee: North American Rockwell Corpora- 2,732,2621/1965 Buerger ..301/37 tion, Pittsburgh, Pa. Primary Examiner-RichardJ. Johnson [22] Fned' Sept' 1970 AttorneyE. Dennis OConnor [21] Appl.No.: 76,291

Related US. Application Data [57] ABSTRACT v A wheel trim memberincluding a cover portion hav- [63] g$ g g g g a Sept ing a circularouter margin, a substantially rigid annua an one lar ring extendingaxially from the outer margin, and a plurality of independent, angularlyspaced-apart CCll. retaining members for resiliently retaining the mm[58] d R 37 SS member on a wheel, each of the individual retaining 0members including a base secured to the rigid ring, at least oneflexible portion projecting outwardly from [56] References Clted thebase to engage the wheel, and a substantially rigid UNITED STATESPATENTS portion extending radially outwardly from the base for 2 698 20312/ 954 L den 301/37 limiting the deflection of the flexible portionsunder an h kl d 2,709,113 5/1955 Plotkin ..301/37 ss 8 03 Hons 2,719,75710/1955 Gaylord ..30l/37 2 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures RETAINING MEANS FORWHEEL TRIM MEMBERS This is a continuation of US. Pat. application Ser.NO. 763,224, filed Sept. 27, 1968, now abandoned.

This invention relates to wheel trim members for motor vehicles and,more particularly, to improved retention devices for maintaining wheeltrim members in proper position on a wheel rim, the retention devicesbeing independent members permanently secured to the trim member in asufficient, but not excessive, number to provide proper retention.

Conventional wheel trim members, including full wheel covers, arerelatively lightweight devices having relatively flexible outer marginsincluding spring means for resiliently engaging the wheel rim tomaintain the trim member in position. In some cases, the spring means iscomprised of sheet metal projections formed integrally with the outermargins, and in other cases, the spring means is comprised ofindependent elements mounted on the flexible periphery of the trimmember. These prior art approaches have not been altogether satisfactorywhen applied to very heavy ornamented wheel covers. It has been foundthat heavy wheel trim members retained by such devices are quite easilydislodged and lost, vertical shock loads on the wheel cover oftencausing excessive deflection of the spring means and release of thewheel cover.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide improvedretention means for maintaining wheel trim members in proper position ona vehicle wheel.

Another object is to provide an improved retention means for maintainingwheel covers in position under shock loads.

Still another object of this invention is to retain a heavy wheel trimmember in proper position without the use of extremely heavy retentiondevices.

Yet another object is to provide an improved retention system for wheelcovers and other wheel trim members that is effective, versatile andreliable.

A still further object of this invention is to provide improved low costmeans for maintaining both light and heavy trim members in properposition on a vehicle wheel.

Briefly stated, carrying out the invention in one form, a wheel trimmember for mounting on a tire rim having an annular radially inwardlyfacing flange surface includes a cover portion having a circular outermargin, a substantially rigid annular ring extending axially from theouter margin for coaxial nesting within the wheel flange surface, and aplurality of angularly spaced-apart independent retaining memberssecured to the ring and extending radially outward thereof toresiliently engage the flange surface to retain the wheel cover inposition on the wheel. Each of the retaining members includes a basesecured to the ring and at least one flexible portion movable through arange of positions bounded by an unflexed position and a fully flexedposition. In their unflexed positions, the flexible portions extend to adiameter larger than that of the flange surface, and in their fullyflexed positions, the flexible portions extend to a diameter smallerthan that of the flange surface. With the trim member mounted on thetire rim, the flexible members thus assume flexed positions intermediatetheir unflexed and fully flexed positions, the flexible membersresiliently engaging the flange surface in their flexed positions tomaintain the trim member in position. Each of the retaining membersfurther includes a rigid portion extending radially outward of the baseto a point radially intermediate the radially outermost extent of therespective flexible portion in its flexed and fully flexed positions toengage the flange surface and prevent movement of the flexible portionsto their fully flexed positions under shock load conditions, therebyprotecting the flexible portions from excessive and life shorteningbending stresses.

By a further aspect of the invention, the rigid ring is of steppedconfiguration, including radially outwardly and inwardly openingchannels for added rigidity. The bases of the retaining members aresecured within the outwardly opening channel with the rigid portions andthe flexible portions projecting radially outwardly of the channel. Bystill further aspects of the invention, the flexible portions are thinstrips extending radially and circumferentially from the bases andterminating at their outer ends in means for bitingly engaging theflange surface, the engagement means preferably including at least onepoint projecting radially outward and axially toward the circular outermargin so as to permit relatively easy mounting and relatively difficultdismounting of the trim member. By a still further aspect of theinvention, the retaining members can be manufactured from a materialmuch harder than the tire rim such that the biting engagement betweenthe retaining members and the flange surface is enhanced.

While the invention is distinctly claimed and particularly pointed outin the claims appended hereto, the invention will be better understoodand appreciated, along with other objects and advantages thereof, fromthe following detailed description when considered in connection withthe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a wheel assembly having a trim member mountedthereon and retained by the retention system of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along viewing line 22of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a reduced scale view taken along viewing line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the retention device of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a view of the retention device of this invention taken alongviewing line 55 of FIG. 2 showing the flexible portions in their flexedposition by solid lines and in their unflexed position by broken lines;

FIG. 6 is a view taken along viewing line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view showing one of the retention devices engagingthe tire rim, the retention device being viewed along viewing line 7--7of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the retention devicecontacting the axially outer edge only of the tire rim flange surface;and

FIG. 9 is a view showing a peripheral portion of another embodiment ofthe retaining ring.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a wheel assembly identified generallyby the numeral 10 is illustrated, the assembly 10 including a hub 11 andan annular tire rim 12 peripherally secured to the hub 11. The tire rim12 includes flanges 13 and 14 which extend radially and axiallyoutwardly of the hub 11 to form an outwardly opening circumferentialchannel 15 within which a tire 16, illustrated in phantom, may bemounted. The wheel assembly as just described is conventional, theflange 13 including an annular axially extending and radially inwardlyfacing flange surface 17, The particular flange surface 17 includes amaximum diameter portion 18 axially adjacent the hub 11 and a minimumdiameter portion 19 axially remote from the hub 11, the two portions 18and 19 smoothly merging into the continuous flange surface 17, but itwill be appreciated as this specification proceeds that the flangesurface 17 could alternatively be of uniform diameter. A heavydecorative wheel cover 22 is secured to the tire rim 12 to cover the hub11 and flange 13, the wheel cover or trim member 22 including a coverportion 23 having a circular outer margin 24 of a diameter greater thanthat of the maximum diameter portion 18 of the flange surface 17, butpreferably less than that of the outer margin 25 of the flange 13 sothat, if desired, wheel weights 26 can be mounted on the outer margin 25of the flange 13 without interfering with the trim member 22. The trimmember 22 also includes an annular ring 28 which extends axially fromthe back side of the circular outer margin 24 of the cover portion 23and has a maximum diameter portion 30 of smaller diameter than theminimum diameter portion 19 of the flange 17 so that the trim member 22may be positioned as illustrated by FIG. 2 with the rigid ring 28coaxially nested within the flange surface 17. The trim member 22 issecured to the tire rim 12 by a plurality of angularly spaced-apartretaining members 32 peripherally secured to the ring 28 and extendingradially therefrom, as best shown by FIG. 3, to resiliently engage theflange surface 17 in a manner which will be described presently.

As indicated above, the trim member, or wheel cover, 22 is a heavymember which for satisfactory ser vice must be maintained in properposition on the wheel assembly 10 under severe jolts and impacts,including vertical shock loads of the type encountered when the tire l6strikes a pothole or other obstruction. If the wheel cover 22 and itsretention system were similar to conventional wheel covers, it would belikely to pop off of the wheel assembly 10 under such load conditionsbecause of its construction. The wheel cover 22, however, because of itsrigidity and the unique retaining members 32, does not exhibit such atendency. To appreciate the unique characteristics of the wheel cover 22of this invention, attention is now directed to the rigid nature of thewheel cover with particular reference to FIGS. 2, 7 and 8. Asillustrated, the rigid ring 28 is formed of formed sheet metal bent toprovide a radially inwardly facing channel 34 adjacent the outercircular margin 24 and an outwardly facing channel 35. Moreparticularly, the ring 28 has a plurality of interconnected annularwalls 30, 38, 39 and 40. The wall 30 is the maximum diameter portion ofthe ring 28, the wall 30 being generally cylindrical and extendingaxially from the outer margin 24 to the radially outer edge 43 of thewall 38, which is a radially disposed wall parallel to an axiallyspaced-apart wall 39. The radially inner edges 44 and 45 of the walls 38and 39, respectively, are interconnected by a wall 40, which is agenerally cylindrical wall of smaller diameter than the wall 30. Tofurther increase the rigidity of the wheel cover 22, the radially outeredge 47 of the wall 39 is reinforced by being rolled to form acontinuous circumferential bead 48. By making the wheel cover 22 ofsufficiently heavy gauge stock and by forming the ring 28 in the mannerjust described, the wheel cover 22 may be made extremely rigid.

The retaining members 32 are used in any desired multiple for holdingthe wheel cover 22 on the wheel assembly 10. More specifically, thewheel cover 22 illustrated is held by four equally angularly disposedmembers 32. If the wheel cover 22 were still heavier, it might bedesired to utilize more retaining members, or, if it were lighter, asfew as three retaining members. Since the members 32 are independentelements not formed integrally with the cover portion 23 and the ring28, there is a wide degree of latitude in the use of the retainingmembers. Furthermore, since the same retaining members can be used for awide variety of wheel covers, substantial savings may be made in thecost of manufacturing the retaining members. In this respect, it shouldbe noted at this description proceeds that the design of the retainingmembers is such that they are easily manufactured with a minimum numberof manufacturing operations.

The retaining members 32 will not be described in detail with particularreference to FIGS. 4-8. Each retaining member 32 is formed of a singlepiece of tempered high carbon sheet steel, the member 32 including abase portion 50 secured to the inner wall 40 of the ring 28 by rivets 52or other suitable fastening devices, resilient legs 53 projectingcircumferentially in opposite directions from the base portion 50, and arigid portion 56 which extends radially outwardly from the base 50 inessential abutment with the wall 38 to the edge 43 from which it extendsaxially toward the outer margin 24 in essential abutment with the wall30. Taken together, the radially outer surfaces 58 of the rigid portions56 extend outwardly to a diameter approaching, but less than, thediameter of the flange portion 19. Accordingly, there is a small space60 between the surfaces 58 and the flange surface 17 at assembly of thewheel cover 22 on the wheel assembly 10, this being best illustrated byFIG. 7. In a typical assembly in which the flange surface 17 has adiameter of approximately 14.630 to 14.680 inches, it has been foundthat these radial spaces 60 are preferably of the order of 0.005 to0.050 inch.

The resilient legs 53 are relatively thin flexible members having theirwidths disposed axially, the legs 53 including an elongated first legportion 65 which, in the unflexed position illustrated by FIG. 4 and bybroken lines in FIG. 5, extends circumferentially and radially outwardfrom the base 50 to a remote end 66 and a second leg portion 67extending essentially radially outward from the end 66. The second legportion 67 terminates at its outer end in a point 68 for bitinglyengaging the flange surface 17 when mounted on the wheel rim flange 13in the position illustrated by the solid lines of FIG. 5 and by FIG. 7.This latter position is, of course, the normal, or flexed, position ofthe flexible legs 53 when the wheel cover 22 is mounted on the wheelassembly 10. This position is intermediate the unflexed positiondescribed above and a fully flexed position in which the leg portions 65are deflected such that their ends 66 touch the cylindrical wall 40. Inmoving from the unflexed position and the flexed position, the flexiblelegs 53 wind up around the inner wall 40 and thereby exert a substantialoutward biasing force on the second leg portions 67. The dimensions ofthe elements are such that the spaces 60 are significantly smaller thanthe spaces 70 between the ends 66 and the wall 40, the result being thatthe surfaces 58 strike the flange surface 17 under shock load conditionsto relieve the legs 53 of excessive bending.

With reference now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the point 68 of the second legportion 67 is formed between the axial edges 72 and 73 of the strip, theedge 72 adjacent the circular outer margin 24 being concave and the edge73 being convex so that the point 68 projects radially outwardly andaxially toward the outer margin 24.

To mount the wheel cover 22 on the wheel assembly 10, the wheel cover 22is positioned as illustrated by FIG. 8 with the flexible legs 53 intheir unflexed positions, the convex edge 73 just contacting the axiallyouter margin 75 of the flange surface 17. Axial force is then applied tothe wheel cover 22 so that the flexible legs 53 are biased radiallyinwardly to wind up around the wall 40 due to the cam action of the edge73 riding along the flange surface 17 and the entire wheel cover 22moves axially inwardly to the position illustrated by FIG. 7 in whichfurther movement is prevented due to axial engagement between thecircular margin 24 and the tire rim 12 at 77. Mounting of the wheelcover 22 on the wheel assembly 10 is relatively easy due to the camaction between the edge 73 and the surface 17. It is, however,relatively difficult to remove the wheel cover 22 since the point 68 isoriented so as to bite into the surface 17 under the biasing forceexerted by the legs 53 rather than slip over it. In addition, thisbiting action is further enhanced since the retaining members 32,including the points 68, are substantially harder than the flangesurface 17. More particularly, the retaining members 32 are preferablymade of a material, such as SAE 1065 spring steel, having a hardness inthe range of 42 to 47 Rc, this being substantially harder than the tirerim flange 13 which is conventionally made of hot rolled steel having ahardness of approximately 60 to 75 Rb.

As described above, the second leg portions 67 of the flexible legs 53are disposed substantially radially. It will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art that, if desired, these leg portions 67 can beprovided with slight circumferential components for enhanced preventionof angular movement or creep between the tire rim 12 and the wheel cover22. This is not necessary, however, under ordinary conditions since thebiting action between the points 68 and the flange surface 17 providesexcellent circumferential retentionas well as axial retention.

As indicated above, the trim member of FIGS. 1-8 is of a diameterpreferably less than that of the outer margin 25 of the wheel flange 13so that, if desired, wheel weights 26 can be mounted on the outer margin25 of the flange 13 without interfering with the trim member 22. Ifdesired, however, a trim member 22' covering the entire wheel assembly,including wheel weights 26', may be utilized as illustrated by FIG. 9.

Other modifications will, of course, be obvious to those skilled in theart. For example, the tire rim flange surface 17 may be provided with auniform diameter rather than the illustrated slight variations indiameter between the portions 18 and 19. Similarly, the single point 68may be replaced by two or more points or other means for bitinglyengaging the flange surface 17.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed, it will be understood that various changes and modificationsmay be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention, and it is intended to cover all such changes andmodifications by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A wheel trim member for use in a wheel structure including a tire rimhaving an annular axially extending and radially inwardly facing flangesurface, said wheel trim member comprising:

a cover portion having a circular outer margin,

a substantially rigid annular ring portion extending in a generallyaxial direction from said circular outer margin, the maximum diameterportion of said ring portion being smaller than the minimum diameterportion of the flange surface so that said wheel trim member can bemounted on the wheel structure with said ring portion coaxially disposedwithin the flange surface,

and a plurality of angularly spaced-apart retaining members secured tothe outer periphery of said ring portion and extending therefrom toresiliently engage the flange surface and thereby retain said wheel trimmember in proper position when mounted on the wheel structure,

said retaining members each comprising a base portion secured to saidring portion and at least one flexible resilient portion extending fromsaid base portion, said flexible portion being movable through a rangeof positions bounded by an unflexed position and a fully flexedposition,

said angularly spaced-apart flexible portions in their unflexedpositions extending radially to a diameter larger than the maximumdiameter portion of the flange surface and in their fully flexedpositions extending radially to a diameter smaller than the minimumdiameter portion of the flange surface, whereby said flexible portionsassume flexed positions intermediate said boundary positions when saidwheel trim member is mounted on the wheel structure,

said retaining members each further comprising a rigid portion extendingradially outward from said base portion,

said rigid portions extending radially to a diameter intermediate thediameters of said flexible portions in their flexed and fully flexedpositions such that said rigid portions engage the flange surface andrelieve the respective flexible portions of excessive bending loadsunder shock load conditions,

said rigid annular ring portion being of radially stepped configuration,including a pair of axially spaced-apart annular walls disposed radiallywith their radially inner edges of substantially the same diameter, afirst generally cylindrical wall interconnecting the radially inneredges of said radial walls so as to form therewith a circumferentiallycontinuous radially outwardly opening channel, and a second generalcylindrical wall interconnecting said circular outer margin and theradially outer edge of the radial wall adjacent thereto so as to formwith said cover portion a circumferentially continuous radially inwardlyopening channel, said base portions of said retaining members beingsecured to said first cylindrical wall and said rigid portions of saidretaining members extending radially outward of said second cylindricalwall.

2. A wheel trim member for use in a wheel structure including a tire rimhaving an annular axially extending and radially inwardly facing flangesurface, said wheel trim member comprising:

a cover portion having a circular outer margin,

a substantially rigid annular ring portion extending in a generallyaxial direction from said circular outer margin, the maximum diameterportion of said ring portion being smaller than the minimum diameterportion of the flange surface so that said wheel trim member can bemounted on the wheel structure with said ring portion coaxially disposedwithin the flange surface,

and a plurality of angularly spaced-apart retaining members secured tothe outer periphery of said ring portion and extending therefrom toresiliently engage the flange surface an thereby retain said wheel trimmember in proper position when mounted on the wheel structure,

said retaining members each comprising a base portion secured to saidring portion and at least one flexible resilient portion extending fromsaid base portion, said flexible portion being movable through a rangeof positions bounded by an unflexed position and a fully flexedposition,

said angularly spaced-apart flexible portions in their unflexedpositions extending radially to a diameter larger than the maximumdiameter portion of the flange surface and in their fully flexedpositions extending radially to a diameter smaller than the minimumdiameter portion of the flange surface,

whereby said flexible portions assume flexed positions intermediate saidboundary positions when said wheel trim member is mounted on the wheelstructure,

said retaining members each further comprising a rigid portion extendingradially outward from said base portion,

said rigid portions extending radially to a diameter intermediate thediameters of said flexible portions in their flexed and fully flexedpositions such that said rigid portions engage the flange surface andrelieve the respective flexible portions of excessive bending loadsunder shock load conditions,

said retaining members being equally angularly and a rigid portioncomprising a first portion projecting radially outward of said baseportion adjacent said radial wall adjacent said circular outer marginand a second portion projecting axially from the radially outer end ofsaid first portion toward said circular outer margin adjacent saidsecond cylindricalwall.

1. A wheel trim member for use in a wheel structure including a tire rimhaving an annular axially extending and radially inwardly facing flangesurface, said wheel trim member comprising: a cover portion having acircular outer margin, a substantially rigid annular ring portionextending in a generally axial direction from said circular outermargin, the maximum diameter portion of said ring portion being smallerthan the minimum diameter portion of the flange surface so that saidwheel trim member can be mounted on the wheel structure with said ringportion coaxially disposed within the flange surface, and a plurality ofangularly spaced-apart retaining members secured to the outer peripheryof said ring portion and extending therefrom to resiliently engage theflange surface and thereby retain said wheel trim member in properposition when mounted on the wheel structure, said retaining memberseach comprising a base portion secured to said ring portion and at leastone flexible resilient portion extending from said base portion, saidflexible portion being movable through a range of positions bounded byan unflexed posiTion and a fully flexed position, said angularlyspaced-apart flexible portions in their unflexed positions extendingradially to a diameter larger than the maximum diameter portion of theflange surface and in their fully flexed positions extending radially toa diameter smaller than the minimum diameter portion of the flangesurface, whereby said flexible portions assume flexed positionsintermediate said boundary positions when said wheel trim member ismounted on the wheel structure, said retaining members each furthercomprising a rigid portion extending radially outward from said baseportion, said rigid portions extending radially to a diameterintermediate the diameters of said flexible portions in their flexed andfully flexed positions such that said rigid portions engage the flangesurface and relieve the respective flexible portions of excessivebending loads under shock load conditions, said rigid annular ringportion being of radially stepped configuration, including a pair ofaxially spaced-apart annular walls disposed radially with their radiallyinner edges of substantially the same diameter, a first generallycylindrical wall interconnecting the radially inner edges of said radialwalls so as to form therewith a circumferentially continuous radiallyoutwardly opening channel, and a second general cylindrical wallinterconnecting said circular outer margin and the radially outer edgeof the radial wall adjacent thereto so as to form with said coverportion a circumferentially continuous radially inwardly openingchannel, said base portions of said retaining members being secured tosaid first cylindrical wall and said rigid portions of said retainingmembers extending radially outward of said second cylindrical wall.
 1. Awheel trim member for use in a wheel structure including a tire rimhaving an annular axially extending and radially inwardly facing flangesurface, said wheel trim member comprising: a cover portion having acircular outer margin, a substantially rigid annular ring portionextending in a generally axial direction from said circular outermargin, the maximum diameter portion of said ring portion being smallerthan the minimum diameter portion of the flange surface so that saidwheel trim member can be mounted on the wheel structure with said ringportion coaxially disposed within the flange surface, and a plurality ofangularly spaced-apart retaining members secured to the outer peripheryof said ring portion and extending therefrom to resiliently engage theflange surface and thereby retain said wheel trim member in properposition when mounted on the wheel structure, said retaining memberseach comprising a base portion secured to said ring portion and at leastone flexible resilient portion extending from said base portion, saidflexible portion being movable through a range of positions bounded byan unflexed posiTion and a fully flexed position, said angularlyspaced-apart flexible portions in their unflexed positions extendingradially to a diameter larger than the maximum diameter portion of theflange surface and in their fully flexed positions extending radially toa diameter smaller than the minimum diameter portion of the flangesurface, whereby said flexible portions assume flexed positionsintermediate said boundary positions when said wheel trim member ismounted on the wheel structure, said retaining members each furthercomprising a rigid portion extending radially outward from said baseportion, said rigid portions extending radially to a diameterintermediate the diameters of said flexible portions in their flexed andfully flexed positions such that said rigid portions engage the flangesurface and relieve the respective flexible portions of excessivebending loads under shock load conditions, said rigid annular ringportion being of radially stepped configuration, including a pair ofaxially spaced-apart annular walls disposed radially with their radiallyinner edges of substantially the same diameter, a first generallycylindrical wall interconnecting the radially inner edges of said radialwalls so as to form therewith a circumferentially continuous radiallyoutwardly opening channel, and a second general cylindrical wallinterconnecting said circular outer margin and the radially outer edgeof the radial wall adjacent thereto so as to form with said coverportion a circumferentially continuous radially inwardly openingchannel, said base portions of said retaining members being secured tosaid first cylindrical wall and said rigid portions of said retainingmembers extending radially outward of said second cylindrical wall.